nd of her great names which had gone down to history.
Spoke, too, of the need of men at the present time, and then made his
appeal.

After him came the Member for St. Ia. He evidently tried to speak as a
statesman on the question. He was listened to respectfully, but
without enthusiasm. He was little fitted to explain the intricacies of
international politics. Bob felt, during the whole time he was
speaking, that he did not know the A.B.C. of his subject, felt that if
he had been in his place he would have made a far stronger case for the
country and the cause.

Then some one got up and recited some doggerel by a London journalist
which was said to be very popular in various parts of the country, but
which did not appeal to our Cornish boys at all.

Up to this point the meeting could not be pronounced a success. Crowds
were there, and the people were waiting to be caught on fire; but the
right spark had not been struck. It only wanted a little to rouse the
whole audience to white heat; the train was laid, the powder was set,
but no one seemed able to ignite the match. People looked at one
another doubtfully. The youths who had been expected to enlist
remained cold and almost jeeringly critical. Then the Admiral called
for Captain Trevanion.

A feeling of envy came into Bob's heart as the Captain rose. He was
wearing his regimentals and looked a soldier, every inch of him; tall,
stalwart, straight as a rule. Young and handsome, he bore proudly a
name which might be found in the remotest history of his county.

"I am no speaker," he began, "and never pretend to speak; in fact, this
is almost the first time that I have tried to address a meeting. I am
a soldier; I start in a few days for the front, and I have only come to
tell you why I am going."

There was evidence of sincerity in his words, and they were spoken in
such a hearty and convincing way that they appealed to every one
present. Bob felt it more than any one else. Yes, he envied him. Oh,
if he could only take his place! If he could say, "I am going to the
front in a few days!"

"I have been working hard, these last weeks," went on Trevanion;
"drilling, drilling; training, training; preparing for the fray, and
waiting and longing to, hear the command, 'Up, lads, and at them!'
Thank heaven the command has at last come!"

His voice rang out clearly, and as he spoke a new light came into the
eyes of many.

"And why am I going?" he cried.